Amusement device



F. A. MAYER.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28. 1920.

1,357,465. Patented Nov. 2, 1920;

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

F. A. MAYER.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28, 1920.

\ NMW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK A. MAYER, 0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO JOHN F.

. GAFFNEY, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed April 28,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK A. MAYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in amusement devices and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use around a house, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a chute adapted to be used by children. 7

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which, when not in use, may be taken apart and compacted in a manner to occupy a minimum of space and which also can be readily and effectively assembled when desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character comprising two main separable parts, one of which constitutes a chute and the other constitutes a step ladder and adapted to beemployed independently of the assembled amusement device.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved device whereby certain important advantages are attained. and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an amusement device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the chute member or section comprised in the device detached;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

1920. Serial No. 377,315.

view taken through the device as illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a view in top plan of the member or section illustrated in Fig. 2. My improved amusement device, as herein disclosed, comprises two main sections or members, A and B. These sections are adapted to be detachably connected whereby the device, when not in use, may be com pacted to occupy a minimum of space and also permitting the member or section A to be employed independently of the completed device.

The member or section A, as herein disclosed, comprises two elongated members or side boards 1 disposed substantially in parallelism and connected at predetermined longitudinally spaced points by the transverse members or steps 2.

The member or section A constitutes a step ladder which may be readily employed about a household and when my amusement device is assembled, said section or member A serves as a support for the upper -end portion of the member B which constitutes a chute or slot. Hingedly connected with the upper end portions of each of the side members 1 of the section A is the upper end portion of the supporting member or prop 3. The props 3 are connected by the transversely disposed strips or cleats 4 positioned adjacent the opposite end portions thereof and interposed between each of the props or supporting members 3 and the corresponding side member 1 is an articulated brace member 5 which serves to limit the relative separating movement of said prop and side member.

The upper of top step 2 comprised in the member or section A is positioned a predetermined distance below the upper ends of the side members 1 and hingedly connected to the rear longitudinal marginal portion of said top step 2 is an apron or platform 6 adapted to rest upon the upper transverse member 4 connecting the props 8. hen the member or section A is employed separately, the apron or platform 6 is adapted to serve as a shelf upon which pails or other utensils may be rested as may be required in house work. iVhen the sections or. members A and B of the amusement device are assembled, the apronor platform 6 serves as an approach to the member or section B.-

The member or section B comprises two side members 7, suitably secured to and extending upwardly from the side longitudinal marginal portions of the bottom 8 of the member or section B and which side members 7 at their upper portions, extend a predetermined. distance beyond the bottom 8 and the lower edges of said extended portions are adapted to rest upon the beveled upper or hinged ends of the props or supporting members 3. The extended portions of the side members 7 extend inwardly of the upper ends of the side members 1 of the member A and terminate thereabove so that as a child passes over the approach 6 said extended portions, at the upper ends of the side members 7 will serve as hand rails whereby the child is effectively protected against falling.

The extended portion of each of the side members 7 has pivotally engaged therewith a hook 9 adapted to engage an eye 10 extending outwardly from the upper portion of the adjacent side member 1 of the section or member A whereby the sections or members A and B of the assembled amusement device are effectively locked in applied position.

Underlying the bottom 8 of the section or member B and connecting the side members 7 thereof are the cross cleats or strips 11 in predetermined longitudinally spaced relation and with the upper cross member or cleat 11 positioned at the upper end of the bottom 8 and with which the outer end of the approach 6 contacts when the amusement device is assembled.

The lower portion of the member or section B is disposed on a slight curvature so that as the child slides down said member, he or she will land in an upright position and in order to facilitate this landing, the side members 7 are continued beyond the lower end of the chute on a slight upward curvature and which extended portions serve as guide rails 12.

1 1 denotes a front standard adapted to be detachably engaged with the lower end portion of the bottom 8 of the member or section A through the instrumentality of the coacting hooks and eyes 15 whereby said front standard may be readily applied or removed as the occasions of practice may require. 16 denotes a bracing strut hingedly connected at one end to the lower transverse cleat or member 11 and the opposite end portion of said bracing strut has detachable connection, as at 17, with the lower portion of the front standard 14 whereby said front standard 14 is effectively maintained in applied position yet can be easily detached when the amusement device is to be dismantled.'

My improved amusement device constitutes an all-year around toy for children as the same can be employed within the house to the same advantage as outdoors and when the toy is not in use, the same can be readily disassembled and compacted to occupy a minimum of space in storage and, when desired, the member orsectiou A may be conveniently used as a step ladder.

To further assure the maintenance of the members or sections A and B in applied position, the upper end portions of the members or side boards 1 are rounded and snugly engage within the recesses 18 produced in the lower marginal portionsof the side members 7 adjacent the upper ends thereof.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that an amusement device constructed in accordance with my .invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with whichit may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1 1. An amusement device comprising two members, one of said members constituting a step ladder and the second of said members constituting a chute, means for detachably engaging one end portion of the chute with the upper end portion of the step lad der; means for supporting the lower end of the chute, and a member carried by the step ladder serving as an approach to the upper end of the chute when said chute and step ladder are in assembled relation, said chute including side members extending beyond opposite ends of the chute, said extend-ed portions of the side members serving as guard rails.

2.- An amusement device comprising two members, one of said members constituting a step ladder and the second of said members constituting a chute, means for engaging one end portion of the chute with the upper portion of the step ladder, means for supporting the lower end portion of the chute, an approach coacting with the upper end portions of the step ladder and chute when said step ladder and chute are in assembled relation, said chute including side members extending beyond opposite ends of the chute, said extended portions of the side members serving as guard rails.

3. An amusementdevice comprising two members, one of said members constituting a step ladder andthe second of said members constituting a chute, means for engaging one end portion of the chute with the upper portion of the step ladder, means of the chute, said extended portion of the for supporting the lower end portion of the side members serving as guard rails and chute, an approach coacting with the upper arranged on an upward curvature. 10 end portions of the step ladder and chute In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my 5 When said step ladder and chute are in assignature.

sembled relation, said chute including side members extending beyond the lower end FRANK A. MAYER. 

